The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-09-14
JuR1Es WHO CULTIVATE CRIME WILL
NOT CONVICT FOR MURDER.
We VIII Hang for Murder when Men
IRE Elected to Office who Will Not
Tamper with whiskey and the
.Tmrv Rnx.

Editor Press and Banner:
In the absence Of news Of stirring interests,
will you allow In its stead II few lines upon
subject touching the welfare OF every COM
munity, moro especially this one, and for the
safety of the young men Just growing up,
facts that may arrest the attention OF all par
ties interested In the good work. These lines
are suggested by what we may read In nearly
every paper. but more recently in the Berk-
Press and Banner.
Murders are becoming too frequent, espe-
claily In Berkeley County. This is too true,
growth of evils to which we have been ex.
posed, the fruit of seed sown. Some may
say whiskey! We earc free to admit that 1t
Is whiskey drinking, but Is IL only Thiskey
that Is heaping up our troubles upon us? We
are now reaping the frnit Of seed sown many
years ago when our young men were led into
crime of many kinds, feeling 1t 10 be or pub
lie necessity, and gradually we nave become
Indifferent to the enormity OF the crime OF
murder. In more than one instance the
murderer has been lauded publicly for tax
ing human lifef and we have been led on
until step by step crime has crept into
ment. We are now brought face to face with
this growing evil. Now the cry is: ut must
be stopped!' Every case Of murder Is attrio-
uted to whiskey or an old feud. we may
look about us al any time and see drunken
ness. Some Of the most prominent men IN
public life stalk about, supported by a good
spot. Others who are held up III the, com
rnunty as leading men, in State and church,
(sptting the example to young men) stagger-
Ing about, yet shaping public opinion; VINO
their unbushing methods done in hisEey,
who lead the youth in their ways by their ex-
ample.
With these facts staring US full In the face
we are blandly told murder must cease. 1t
can never he MS long as these evils continue
If you cultivate and encourage vice, will not
murder follow? Can you expect the parties
who cultivate every form of vice, to convict
for murder? No. sir. II Is customary In
some sections under this great Government
to select such men TO put In to fill the offices
of trust and responsibility. 1t would oe eX-
pecling too much of human nature to ask s
conviction for murder, when they have the
preparing of the jury for assault or petit
larceny. You can depend upon full support
from of1lcials-these petty offences ana ar-
ceny seem to be the only offences against the
law. Many times we have listened with sur
prise 10 nm admiration expressed for the abil-
ity of one man to Ontdrlnk another. Our
yielded 10 temptation offered hy these uni9r-
tunates and are on the same road that The
older ones have blazcd out for them. Can
be done stop hs thIs ste sys Of
things go on in high life, what are we to ex-
pect of the negro? Reform the party meth
DDS, and elect men to office who Will not TAM
per with whiskey and jury boXess, and we
Will soon De apic W ntHt WI ,utoeIb - -
will not stop until that is DONE Begin at
once and start In the right place. How often
do we hear: ale will never be hung, or pun.
shcd for killing that man! Wewillh fix that"
Now, Mr.. Editor you think that the Coy
ernment should protect It's citizens. ! do
think if there is no: respectability enough IN
our party ithe Democratic party)to turn out
all men from office who tamper with whlskey;
witnesses and Jurors, we had better find
some other party (not the Republican party
Let q better element assert Its power and
stop this ballot box fraud and putting, men
in office who do not receive the Intelligent
support In their own party This is what IS
dragging us into disgrace. am an advocate
we must have another party in the same
ranks. We cannot afford to recognize the
Republican party. We want two Democratic
candidates in every county and Sinte. This
will he our only chance to correct the many
~ r. s. GAIIIARD.